Title (fr)

Publication

Application

Priority

US 15137099 P 19990830

US 48934700 A 20000121

Abstract (en)

CCD imager with amplification via impact ionisation, but avoiding avalanching. Higher amplification factors can be achieved by repeatedly transfering charge between a storage well and a multiplication well, either back and forth within each CCD cell, or during charge propagation between cells. Preferably, one of the clock gates is provided with an aperture, and a charge multiplication electrode is provided within this aperture. Alternatively, adjacent clock electrodes can be provided with reticulations, and a charge multiplication electrode can be provided in the opening formed by these reticulations. <IMAGE> <IMAGE>